Islam and other religions

An Image of Qur’an, the sacred book of the Muslims and the Bible aligned next to it. As the two largest Abrahamic faiths in the world, Islam and Christianity have historically shared very good relations, with Christians co-existing in numerous Muslim countries such as Iraq, Egypt and Syria for centuries.

Islam is viewed by Muslims as the continuation of Allah’s (s.w.t) Monotheistic revelations which have continuously been revealed since the beginning of mankind’s interactions with Allah (s.w.t), starting with the Prophet Adam - peace be upon him.

For this reason, much like the relationship which occurs between Christianity and Judaism, with the former considering itself an extension of the latter; Islam is believed to be a continuation of Allah’s (s.w.t) covenants which have been consistently revealed to mankind by a continuation of different Prophets. Islam’s Holy book, the Qur’an, recounts previous historical events and previous Prophets. It recognises many of the prophetic individuals mentioned in the Old Testament, as well as Jesus as a Prophet.

The Qu’ran recognises Jews and Christians as the monotheistic predecessors of Muslims, though it points out that all prophets were in fact Muslims, in the sense that Islam (submission to one God) was taught by all prophets. Despite its acknowledgement of Jews and Christians, the Qur’an does intellectually challenge Jews and Christians as the following verse indicates.

O people of the Scripture(Jews and Christians)! Why do you dispute about Abraham, while the Torah and the Gospel were not revealed till after him? Have you then no sense? Abraham was neither a Jew nor a Christian, but he was a true Muslim(worshiper of none but Allah alone)and he joined none in worship with Allah. (3:65-67)

Or say you that Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob and the twelve sons of Jacob were Jews or Christians? Say(oh Muhammad), 'Do you know better or does Allah? And who is more unjust than he who conceals the testimony he has from Allah?' And Allah is not unaware of what you do. (2:140)

“Invite to the Way of your Lord with Wisdom, and good advice, and dispute with them in a way that is best..." (16:125)

Say, "We believe in God and what has been sent down to us and what was sent down to Abraham, Ishmael and Isaac and Jacob and the tribes, and what Moses and Jesus were given and all the prophets from their Lord. We do not differentiate between any of them. We are Muslims submitted to Him." (3:84)

Islam and Fostering Good Relations Based upon Tolerance of the World’s Religions

Due to recent geo-political circumstances and the hijacking of Islam by those who wish to commit acts of terror in the name of the religion, there is a perception amongst some non-Muslims that Islam condones violence and war against other religions. The Qur’an serves as a testimony which highlights the incompatibility of such views with the religion of Islam.

(Surah 109)

In the name of Allah Most Beneficient, Most Merciful

Say Oh You who reject faith, I do not worship that which you worship, Nor do you worship that which I worship, And I will not worship that which you worship, Nor will you worship that which I worship, To you be your religion, and to me by my religion.

This short chapter of the Qur’an has correctly been recognised by scholars as containing a direct initiative of tolerance and recognition. It specifies that one cannot go around hoping to convert everybody and rather than disputing with others over religious differences, there must be an ultimate recognition that a lack of agreement on religious doctrines should not lead to persecution.

“And if Allah did not repel some people by others, monasteries and churches and synagogues and mosques in which Allah’s name is much remembered, would have been ruined” (22:40)

This particular verse in the Qur’an also highlights that it is within the duty of the people of God, and particularly the Muslims, to defend the places of worship which others worship Him in, regardless of the differences in worship.

Finally, it is worth highlighting the particular model emphasised by Imam ‘Ali b. Abi Talib (a.s) in his teachings which serves as a reminder for those who wish to divide the world into believing and non-believing, in which the Imam reminds people:

“People are of two types, they are either your brothers in faith, or they are your equals in humanity.”

Through understanding that humanity binds all human beings together, the Imam (a.s) successively highlighted that we share a commonality which may not be creedal, or in the form of outward practice, yet one that binds us all and hence allows unity and co-operation.

A Synagogue, a Church and a Mosque standing together. Since the inception of Islam, the three Abrahamic faiths communities have co-existed together in peace.

Islam is often described as being intolerant of other religions on a number of levels. This misplaced assessment of Islam’s attitude towards other religions has become a dominant view.

Rather it would be appropriate to judge what Islam teaches in light of the Qur’an, the statements of the Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) and the Imams as well as their actions in dealing with non-Muslims and those of other religions throughout history.

Islam as a Pluralist Religion

If you examine the early history of Islam, it is apparent that the Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) frequently interacted with Jews and Christians during his trade journeys.

The Qur’an is quite emphatic that Jews and Christians are spiritually, the predecessors of the Muslims, who once followed the previous Prophets to whom had been sent to them. It is worth noting, however, that the Qur’an doesn’t recognise the terms “Jew” or “Christian” when referring to historical figures or previous Prophets, but rather views the previous Prophets as Muslims.

While they are not specifically referred to as Muslims in the sense that they believed in Islam as taught by the Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w), they are considered to be part of Islam in an earlier manifestation of the primordial religion of Monotheism and submission to God.

O people of the Scripture(Jews and Christians)! Why do you dispute about Abraham, while the Torah and the Gospel were not revealed till after him? Have you then no sense? Abraham was neither a Jew nor a Christian, but he was a true Muslim(worshiper of none but Allah alone) and he joined none in worship with Allah.

(Surah 3:65-67)

Or say you that Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob and the twelve sons of Jacob were Jews or Christians? Say(oh Muhammad), 'Do you know better or does Allah? And who is more unjust than he who conceals the testimony he has from Allah?' And Allah is not unaware of what you do. (Surah 2:140)

Examples of Religious Tolerance in the Qur’an

Unlike the classical myths of Islam, and the depiction of the religion portrayed in the media, is not a religion which was only spread by force and by the sword.

Any attempts by so-called Muslims in history to attempt to do so would have been in contrast and in contradiction of the spirit of Islam. The Qur’an and the statements of the Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) would oppose the use of force by some non-Muslims in subjecting others to terror in attempts to force them to convert. The Qur’an, even as early as the Makkan period prior to the establishment of any state, had offered recognition for religious diversity in light of stark religious difference.

(Surah 109)

Say Oh You who reject faith, I do not worship that which you worship, Nor do you worship that which I worship, And I will not worship that which you worship, Nor will you worship that which I worship, To you be your religion, and to me by my religion.

Surprisingly, in sharp contrast to the Islam which is often thought of by those who have not had any education in regards to what Islam truly teaches and mandates, this early Makkan Surah, which was revealed prior to the establishment of Muhammad’s (s.a.w) state in Madinah, contains guidelines for what seems to be a recognition of religious diversity in light of disagreement.

There is recognition that neither sides will be changing religion and that therefore it is best that the two parties mutually recognize one another's differences as opposed to persisting in attempts at converting one another and living in hostilities.

The largest chapter in the Qur’an, known as the ''Surah of the Cow'', also reaffirms this message in verse 256 which reads:

“There is no compulsion in religion.” (Surah 2:256)

The Constitution of Madinah and recognizing non-Muslims as Brothers

An interesting point in history for those who wish to observe how Islam treats those of other religions who co-exist within the same state can be observed within the model of governance as observed in the Treaty of Madinah.

According to the Treaty of Madinah, Muslims, Jews and Christians all co-existed under the banner of one state and were recognized and treated as brothers of one another.

One surviving example of how the Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) treated those of other faiths who fell under his protection can be observed in a letter which has survived from the time of the Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) which reads:

“This is a message from Muhammad b. ‘Abdullah, as a covenant to those who adopt Christianity, near and far, we are with them. Verily I, the servants, the helpers, and my followers defend them, because Christians are my citizens; and by God! I hold out against anything that displeases them. No compulsion is to be on them. Neither are their judges to be removed from their jobs nor their monks from their monasteries. No one is to destroy a house of their religion, to damage it, or to carry anything from it to the Muslims’ houses. Should anyone take any of these, he would spoil God’s covenant and disobey His Prophet. Verily, they are my allies and have my secure charter against all that they hate. No one is to force them to travel or to oblige them to fight. The Muslims are to fight for them. If a female Christian is married to a Muslim, it is not to take place without her approval. She is not to be prevented from visiting her church to pray. Their churches are declared to be protected. They are neither to be prevented from repairing them nor the sacredness of their covenants. No one of the nation (Muslims) is to disobey the covenant till the Last Day (end of the world).

Islam and Protecting the Sacred Sites of Other Religions

Whilst there is a distinct stereotype of Muslims being those who travel around pillaging and destroying all art, architecture and particularly religious sites of other religions, such an image is again in direct contradiction to the Qur’an. The Qur’an does not command nor permit such actions but rather highlights that Islamic fighting in defence of Monotheism entails that such structures should also be protected under Islamic Law.

“And if Allah did not repel some people by others, cloisters and churches and synagogues and mosques in which Allah’s name is much remembered, would have been pulled down” (22:40)

The above verse recognises the religious preservation and right to worship of other religions, despite being considered paths which aren’t necessarily the most correct. This is mandated in Islam and is one of the purposes of Islamic warfare in self-defence of religious freedom.

Conclusion

Islam, unlike most other Monotheistic religions and proselytising religions, includes a framework for religious tolerance and a certain degree of religious pluralism. This allows Islam to co-exist and tolerate other religions and most importantly be respectful of these individual traditions without necessarily having to view these other traditions through the lenses of condemnation and inferiority. If Muslims would return to the Qur’anic model of tolerance and maintaining the rights of other faith traditions, then it would certainly assist removing the long maintained stereotypes of how Islam denigrates other faith traditions.

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